THE INDEPENDENT ESTIMATION OF 11-DESOXYCORTISOL AND CORTISOL IN A SINGLE PLASMA SAMPLE*

Abstract

A method for the determination of cortisol and 11-desoxycortisol in a single small sample of blood plasma is described. This column chromatographic method employs, successively, Florisil and silica gel columns for purification and separation of cortisol and 11-desoxycortisol. After separation of the steroids, each is measured quantitatively by use of the Porter-Silber reaction. Values were determined for cortisol and 11-desoxycortisol in the early morning blood plasma of normal subjects. The application of the method in conjunction with the SU-4885 test is illustrated by presentation of the results obtained in 2 normal subjects and in 2 patients with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal perplasia.